Jacob f



(No Model.)

J. F. MEHREN. ELBGTRIUMBTBR.

No. 428,280. Patnted'May 20, 1890.

WMM 7 e I citizen of the United States, residing at Chi- ATENTA OFFICE.

JACOB F. MEHREN, OF CHICAGO, ILLI ELECTRIC METER COMP YELECTRICSPECIFICATION forming part of Letters NOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THEVAMERICANANY, OF SAME PLACE.

METER.

Patent No. 428,280, dated May 2o, 1890.

Application tiled October '7, 1889. Serial No. 326,184. (No model.)

To all wwnt it may concern: Y

Be it known that I, JACOB F. MEHREN, a

cago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a newand useful Improvement in Electric Meters, of which the following is aspecification.

My invention relates to an improvement in the class of apparatus forregistering the amount consumed of current delivered on a circuit, asregistering such amount in lamphours on a circuit containingincandescent electric lamps; and it relates particularly to improvementsupon the species -in the foregoing class involving a prime motor in themain circuit actuated by variation in the current to control, accordingto such variation, the registering mechanism, which is actuated throughthe oscillations of a pendulum controlled from a derived circuit.

The object of my invention is to provide a generallyimproved apparatus,both as to construction and eiciency, for the purpose stated; and tothis end my invention consists in the general as well as the morespeciiic construction of my improved meter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in the nature of adiagram, showing my improved apparatus in elevation, partly sectional;and Fig. 2, a broken plan view showing details of construction of theregistering apparatus and of the mechanism for varying the speed orextent of registration, according to the variation in effect upon theprime motor of the current on the main circuit.

A denotes the outgoing, and B the return wire of a main circuit shown tocontain, as the current consuming medium, ,incandescent electric lampsC, and the wire Aincludes the prime motor D, which may be a solenoid, asillustrated, though I do not limit the use of my improved mechanismshereinafter described, to connection with a solenoid as the prime motor,since they may be employed with advantage in connection with other formsof motor D.

E, Fig. 2, denotes the train of gear-wheels carrying index-fingers ontheir shafts and extending over the surfaces of suitable dials, thewhole constituting an ordinary or suitable formof mechanism to beactuated from the main current through intermediate regulating andpropelling devices, hereinafter described, to indicate the consumptionof the current, and the parts of the mechanism E are supported, asusual, in suitable framework E which is merely indicated in Fig. 2,because well understood and involving no features of novelty.

. The immediate medium for imparting motion to the train E is a piniono" on a shaft q, journaled in the frame and having limited play in itsbearings, and one projecting end of which should be pointed, as shown atfr, to reduce the frictional bearing against it of a spring p, extendingfrom the adjacent side of the frame. The shaft q carries to revolve withit a plain disk F.

G is a disk like the disk F, except that its 7o periphery is providedwith teeth; and it is supported on a shaft q j ournaled in the frame,like the shaft q, and in position to cause the disks G and F to overlapeach other, the shaft being, for the same reason as the shaft q, pointedat one end, as shown at in Fig. 2, and having a spring p bearing againstits pointed extremity. The core D of the solenoid, which should besufficiently long to extend normally through thespool,is connected 8o bya link 02, to an arm 0 of a bell-crank lever D2, fulcrumed at its angley, and controlled by a spring 03, connected with the arm o, and whichserves to counterbalance the core. The other arm 0 of the bell-crankcarries at its 85 extremity, which should be. bifurcated, and extendsbetween lthe disks F and G, a friction-roller II, formed preferably ofsoft rubber, and the periphery of ,which is normally in contact with theopposing surfaces of the 9o two disks. According as the distance fromthe shaft q at which the roller H is caused to have contact with thedisk G, it will in- 'versely vary the distance from the shaft q of it-scontact with the disk F, turning the latter faster the nearer itapproaches its shaft and slower the farther it is removed therefrom;and, as will hereinafter be explained, variation in such distance isautomatically produced through the medium of the solenoid Ioo core inaccord ance with the variation to which the solenoid maygbe subjected inthe current.

I and I are stationary electro-magnets hav;v

ing similar polarity, vand between them is an electro-magnet I2, havingthe opposite polarity, the circuit, including the motor afforded by theelectro-magnets to produce the opposite polar-ities, being hereinafterdescribed.

K is a pendulum pivotally supported at 2'- a point perpendicularly abovethe core of the magnet I2-and carrying an armature I3, the ends ofwhich, when the pendulum is in its normal perpendicular or substantiallyperpendicular position, extend short of the cores of the magnets I andl. On opposite sides of the pivotal point z the pendulumhas pivoted toit the pawls n and n', extending one beyond the other into engagementwith the teeth on the periphery of the disk G, whereby each stroke ofthe pendulum in its vibratory movement, produced ashereinafterdescribed, effects a partial turn of the disk. I do not,however, necessarily limit my con struction to heuse of the two pawls,though the latter are preferred, for a single pawl on one side of thefulcrum of the pendulum would be operative.

The upper end of the pendulum engages with a eommutator L, comprising abar fm, of insulating material, having metallic contactpieces Zand 7a atopposite ends and supported in a manner to permit it to be readilyshifted lengthwise, as by means of bolts or screws t', passed into thesupport through slots il in the part m near its opposite ends, simplemeans for producing the desired. engagement being the bifurcaied end ofthe pendulum embracing a stud m on the bar m, as shown, and adjacent-tothe bar m, preferably above it, as shown, is secured a supporting-strip7L, of insulating material, having springs g and g extending from it,both being normally in contact with only the bar m of insulatingmaterial and close to the metallic contacts l and 7c, whereby when thebar m is shifted from its normal position in either direction one spring-will bear against an end contact, while the otherwill bear against theinsulating portion of the bar.

The electromagnets I, I', and I2 and the eommutator L are included in aderived circircuit branches from the binding-post 2 byy a conductor ci,connecting with the magnet'I. The-contact 7c of the eommutator isconnected by a conductor e with the branch d. The spri'ng' g isconnected by a conductor c with one end of the magnet I and by a branchc "of the conductor c with one end of the magnet I2,`and the spring g isconnected by a conductor Z? with one end of the magnet I2, and by abranch b of the conductor b with one end of the magnet I.

` The operation is as follows: Current on the main circuit energizes thesolenoid and draws the core D into the coil thereof, according to theamount of current, thereby closing the derived circuit by produci n gcontact between the finger M and screw M', as shown, and

moving the friction-wheel Il on its pivotal axis y toward the center ofthe disk F and away from that of the disk G, according to the amount ofcurrent. The disks are yieldlingly maintained contiguous to theperiphery of the friction-wheel against any distortion or departure ofthe latter from a true circle by the springs p and p. Obviously as theenergizing effect of the current on the solenoid weakens or strengthensthe friction-wheel will be moved farther from or nearer toward thecenter q. The current which 'passes on the derived circuit c d energzesthe magnets I, I', and I2, and toward whichever of the two outermostmagnets the pendulum happens to incline that magnet-will exert itsattraction effect upon the armature I3, and is re-enforced by the actionof the central magnet I2, since the lines of force between the latterand the other outermost or non-attractin g magnet are practically nil.

To illustrate further the operation, suppose the poles of the magnet II2 to be the irst to attract the armature under the influence of thecurrent on the derived circuit. This will draw the pendulum toward theAmagnet I,

causing the pawl n to turn the disk G, which will, through the medium ofthe frictionwheel. II, turn the wheel F around at a rate of speedaccording to the location, with reference to the center of the latterwheel,'of

the friction-wheel, under the influence of the the stud m shifts theeommutator in the direction of its movement, thereby producing contactof the conducting end l and spring g, causing the derived circuit toclose through the conductors e and c, and thereby cut out or shunt themagnet I, which, being thereby cle-energized, will release the armatureand permit it to be attracted by the magnet I I2. Then the upper end ofthe pendulum shifts the commutat-or toward the right, breaking thecontact between the end Z and spring g and producing contact betwecntheend 7a and spring g', thereby cutting out or shunting the magnet I', andthus loosening its hold on the armature, which is then again attractedby the magnet I I2. As will readily be seen, the

pendulum, under thevalternate attraction of the magnets I I2 and I I2 onthe armature,

IOC

IIO

vibrates regularly, and each stroke, with the provision of the two pawlsn and n', turns the disk G around the same distance, which turns thedisk F around at the same or at a greater or less rate of speed,according to the position of the wheel H with reference to the center q,and the dial-iingers are thereby caused to indicate upon the dials,suitably marked for Vthe purpose, the amountl of current consumed by thenumber ot' lamp-honrs. It will of course be understood that when thelamps C are all cut out, the current on the derived circuit beinginsuiiicient to affect the core D, it will rise, and 'th us separate thecontact between the finger M and screw M, thereby opening the derivedcircuit and stopping the vibration of the pendulum.

The intermediate mechanism between the prime motor D and apparatus Emay, to permit the application of-my improved mechanism for holding thedisks F and G yieldingly against the interposed friction-roller H,involve other and old forms of friction-gear connected with a motor D,and the registering apparatus for varying the speed of the latter byvariation in the inuence of the current on the former; hence I do notintend to be understood as limiting the application of the said yieldingholding mechanism t0 disks as suoli, but intend that in the claimshereinafter stated, which refer specifically to the said mechanism,`theterms fdisk and friction-roller shall be sufficiently generic to includeall analogous friction-gear.

lVhat I claim as new, and desire t0 secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In Van electric meter, the combination, with a suitable registeringapparatus E, of a prime motor D in the main circuit, intermediatemechanism connected with the said registering apparatus and controlledfrom the prime motor to regulate the speed of registration according tovariation in the current on the main circuit, a normally-open derivedcircuit, a pendulum K, connected with the said intermediate mechanism,an electric motor for the pendulum in the derived circuit, and acommutator in the said derived circuit actuated by the vibrations of thependulum alternately to shunt portions of the said electric motor,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an electric meter, the combination, with a suitable registeringapparatus E, of a prime motor D in the main circuit, a disk F,

geared to the said registering apparatus, a

rotary toothed disk G, and a friction-wheel H, pivotally supported toextend between and in contact with the said disks and oscillated on itspivotal support between the centers of the disks by the action of theprime motor under 'variation in the current on the main circuit,

a pendulum K, engaging with the disk G, a normally-open derived circuit,and an electriemotor for the pendulum in the derived circuit,substantially as described.

3. In an electric meter, the combination,

with a suitable registering apparatus E, of a prime motor D in the maincircuit, a disk F, geared to the said registering apparatus, a rotarytoothed disk G, and a friction-Wheel H, pivotally supported to extendbetween and in contact with the said disks and oscillated on its pivotalsupport between the centers of the disks by the action of the primemotor under variation in the current on the main circuit, a pendulum K,pivotally supported between its ends and having pawls n and n atopposite sides of its pivot extending into engagement with the teeth ofthe disk G, a normally-open derived circuit, and an electric motor forthe pendulum in the derived circuit, substantially as described.

4. In an electric meter, the combination, with a suitable registeringapparatus E, supported in a frame, a prime motor D in the main circuit,and a pendulum K, oscillated by a suitable motor in a derived circuit,ot' a disk F on a rotary shaft q, supported in the frame and movable inits bearings and geared tothe apparatus E, a spring p, bearing againstan end of the shaft q, a toothed disk G, connected with the pendulum andsupported on a shaft q in the frame and movable in its bearings, aspring jp', bearing against an end of the shaft q', and a friction-wheelH on a pivotal support connected with the said prime motor and extendingbetween and in contact with the disks F and G, substantially as and forthe purpose s'et forth.

5. In an electric meter, the combination, with a suitable registeringapparatus E, supported in a frame, a prime motor D in the main circuit,and a pendulum K, oscillated by a suitable motor in a derived circuit,of a. contact IWI and a pivotal finger M in the derived circuit, apivotal bell-crank D2, controlled from its arm o by the prime motor andyieldingly sustainedv against the finger M to maintain the derivedcircuit normally open, a disk F on a rotary shaft q, supported in thesaid frame and movable in its bearings and geared to the apparatus E, aspring p, bearing against an end of the shaft q, a toothed disk G,connected with the pendulum and supported on a shaft q in the frame andmovable in its bearings, a spring p', bearing against an end of theshaft q', and a rotary IOO IIO

friction-wheel H, supported on the arm o of for the purpose set forth.

6. In an electric meter, the combination,

with a suitable registering apparatus E, of a prime mot-or D in the maincircuit, intermediate mechanism connected with the said regist-eringapparatus and controlled from the prime motor to regulate the speed ofregistration according to variation in the current on the main circuit,a pendulum K, carrying an armature I3 and connected with the saidintermediate mechanism, a normally-open derived circuit closed bytheprime motor under the iniiuence of the main `current and a commutator L,and a motor for the pendulum in the derived circuit, the motorcomprising the electro-magnets I I of similarpoliarity and Izof theopposite polarity, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth,

7T. In an electric meter, the combination, with a suitable registeringapparatus E, ot' a prime motor D in the main circuit, intermediatemechanism connected with the said' registering apparatus andl controlledfrom the prime motor to regulate the speed of registration according tovariation in the current on thel mainl circuit, a pendulum K, pivotallysupported between its ends and carrying an larmature I3 and connectedwith the 'said intermediate mechanism, a normally-open derived circuitclosed by the prime motor u-nder the influence ofthe main current, amotor for thev pendulum in the derived circuit, comprisingelectro-magnets I I of similar po larity and' I2 of the oppositepolarity, and a commutator L, comprising the longitudinallymovableinsulating portion m, having contacts Z-and 7C at its opposite ends andvengaged by the adjacent end of the pendulum in its vibratory movement,and springs g and g', normally in contact with the said insulatingportion m near the contacts Z and 7a, the whole being constructed andarrangedy to operate substantial-ly as and for thepurpose set forth. Y,

8. An electric meter comprising, in combi- 1 nation, a registeringapparatus E in a frame E', a solenoid D in the maincircuit, a derivedcircuit containing a pivotal finger M and a contact M, apivotally-supported bell-crank D2, having its arm o linked to thesolenoidcore, a spring 03, normally holding the a-rm o l againstthe'nger M to separate it from the contact M', a disk F on a rotaryshaft q, normally supported in the frame and geared to the apparatus E,a spring p, bearing against an end of the shaft q, a toothed disk G on ashaft q', movably supported in the frame, a spring p,bearing against anend of the shaft q', a friction-roller H, journaled in the end of thearm o of the bell-crank extending between Itthe disks F and G, apendulum K, pivotal-ly supported between its extremities and havingpawl's-'n and n extending from opposite -sides of its pivot intoengagement with the vteeth on the disk G, an armature I3 on thependulum, a motor in the derived circuit comprising electro-magnets I Iofv similar polarity and I2 of' opposite polarity, a comimu-tator L inthe said derived circuit com-,- prising a shifting-bar m, of insulatingmaterial, engaged by the adjacent endl of the penf (lul-'umand providedwith contacts Zand 7 at its opposite ends, and springs g and g",normal'ly in contact with the bar m near its op- `posite ends, the wholebeing constructed and arranged to operate substantially as and for thepurpose set forth.

JACOB F. MEI'IREN.

In presence off- W. H. DYRENFORTH, M. J. FROST.

